Outline talk opens master plan

LONG HILL TWP. Township Planner John Fusa sees potential
recreational development in the southwest section of the township
along Valley Road and the construction of pedestrian/bicycle paths
connecting various neighborhoods with the new municipal center in
the south.

Fusa outlined the plan before the Planning Board and the public
at a special meeting Thursday, June 14, as part of what Fusa
described as the opening stages for the township's new master plan.
The current plan, adopted in April 1996, will expire in April
2002.

"The open space and recreational plan will be a kickoff," he
said, stating the planners will look at other parts of the plan in
the summer and fall.

Fusa outlined the preliminary goals for the open space
recreational plan and community facilities plan, saving the
detailed plan for a July meeting.

Divided Into Three

The northern part of the township, which Fusa defined as the
portion just north of Long Hill Road, is predominantly owned by the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Refuge with little potential for anything
more than passive recreational use. However, the planner had not
ruled out a bicycle path that connects the Great Swamp to
recreational facilities further south.

Fusa characterized the area between Long Hill Road and the NJ
Transit Gladstone Branch rail line as predominantly residential and
privately owned, with a few exceptions including the Hicks tract
just north of the railroad line and Old Forge Road in the
Millington section of the township. However, he added, recreational
development is limited because of the slopes, which are considered
"critical areas" limiting development within 50 feet of
property.

Most Recreational Development In
South

But the major recreational development, he said, would happen in
the southern portion section of the towmship, especially with new
soccer and tennis fields being constructed near the planned
municipal building in the Gillette section of the township and the
Passaic Greenway, which is already in development.

"It is a major aspect in the open space and recreation plan,"
Fusa said. "Wewant to encourage this. It seems to me we are
beginning to see a centralization of community services."

Originally, the planners did not incorporate the proposed new
library facility in its goal. Fusa had only said they were
considering ways to improve the parking conditions and spacing for
the old library on Central Avenue in the Stirling section of the
township.

Mayor Walter Sadowski, however, said he was adamantly in favor
of the proposed library, near the new municipal complex and the
Carrington field, when asked how the proposed library would affect
recreation.

"We have a lot of space adjacent to the new town hall, at least
a 15,000 square feet building to join it," the mayor said,
requesting the planners consider the new proposed library when they
draft their open space and recreation plan.

Bicycle routes might be expanded and new ones constructed to
connect the residential areas with the community center south of
Valley Road. In particular, the planners may expand the Passaic
Greenway eastward, along the Passaic River, up to the new municipal
building, Gillette School and the senior citizens center
under

construction. "This link is certainly feasible in the short and
median term," he said.

In the long term, another bicycle route might link Berkeley
Heights with Long Hill. One resident proposed a bicycle route on
Valley Road, which was at one time recommended by the county. Fusa
said he would look into that.

The planners may also link Millington and Stirling with another
biking path and one from Stirling to Morristown Road. "There are
new opportunities for a network," he said.

Specifics Sought

But board members, while pleased with the presentation and the
goals laid out by Fusa, noted planners have to specify what lands
they wish to acquire and designate for recreational use and where,
exactly, they want to construct the bicycle paths.

"Will you be getting into specifics?" asked board members
Richard Albers, referring to recreational land use.

And David Welch, the board chairman, asked a more detailed plan
be prepared for the July meeting. "It's a lot easier to use
pressure, excuse me, persuade if we have it," specified in the
plan," he said, alluding to a resident's attempt to construct a
house near what may well be a designated "critical area" off of
Delaware Road.

The next meeting will be held in July, when planners present
their draft plan to the board for further comment. No date has yet
been scheduled.

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In recent weeks, Long Hill Township and Watchung Borough passed ordinances allowing their police departments to be able to apply for surplus equipment from the Department of Defense. Long Hill recently procured a Humvee to use in times of flooding, which Watchung states as the reason they are getting into the program. However, in cities around the country, police forces have used the program to obtain military gear, such as weapons and armor.
For more background, go to the link below
http://www.newjerseyhills.com/echoes-sentinel/news/watchung-police-department-hopes-to-receive-equipment-from-department-of/article_12ad002a-92b3-5449-a2cc-4b2cf0ce4339.html